Improvement in lasts



MOS W. MERRI TT, F SCITUATE, MASSACHUSI Letters Patent No. 87,788, dated .March 16, 1869.`

IMPROVEMENT IN LAsTs.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the .Y

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that LA tios W. Mnnnrr'r, of Scituate, in the county of Plymouth, and State of Massachusetts,

' have invented certain Improvements in Lasts, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, mak` ing part of this speciiication, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section, through the centre of a last, with its block secured thereto by means of` my improved fastening.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section on the line :c a: oi' iig. l.

,Figure 3 is a perspective view ofthe hook, which I amploy for unlocking and removing the block iiom its ast.

The ordinary method of securing the block of a last to the last prop'er, is by driving a tack or nail through the back of the upper side of the block into the last near the joint, or line, where their upper surfaces are brought together.

:This method is objectionable for the following re sons: The constant jarring, incident to punching the holes and driving the pegs into the sole, causes the fastening to become loose, and the block to be moved from its seat, so as frequently to require to be replaced and resecnred upon the last. Beside the loss of time incurred in this operation, and that required to witlzdraw the nail or tack, to allow the last to be removed from the boot or shoe, when the lasting is completed, both the block and last, by being continually pierced by the fastening, soon become split and broken, and are rendered worthless.

To remedy the above-mentioned diihculties, is the object of my invention, which consists in a. springcatch passing into a groove, and locking over a crossbar, or other device for securing the block to the last, the catch being instantly liberated to allow of the removal of the block, by simply pressing a sliding pin against the catch, by applying the end of a suitablyformed last-hook thereto.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out.

In the said drawings- A is the body of the last or last proper, and

B, its block, both of the desired pattern.v

Into the under side of the last, near the line c, where the upper surfaces of the block and last are united, is driven or screwed the bent ,end b of a dat piece of metal, the' opposite extremity of which is provided with a hook, c, the piece of metal when so constructed and attached to the block B, serving as a'spring-catch, 0,; the operation and purpose of which will now be explained.V

d is a groove, formed in the upper surface of the body of the last, and extending from the line a cen trally, down to a point, e, the deptl groove being suiicient for the fr 4spring-catch therein.

Secured transversely over this gr( D,under which the hook c rides and spring-catch O enters the groove -i block upon the la'st.

The last is provided with a curve its toe-portion, for the 'lower end of 1 vature of the'block to rest on, by wl ter is prevented from moving latex-a After the inner sole has been pla the block is secured thereto, as abo-v held immovably thereon until the le completed.

When the work is to be removed ordinary last-hook, E, or pull-,M elled down, (see iig. 3,) is employed lock the block from'its last A. circular hole, t', passes transve block B, for the reception of the bei last-hook.

From the bottom of this hole, an to its axis, extends a smaller circula ception of a cylindrical pin, k, which in, the bottom of the pin resting up face of the spring-catch O, a little hook c.

By inserting the last-hook, E, and prcssin g the bevelled end h of thi the pin It, the spring-catch O is dep thrown out of contact with the cro block is then free to be drawn by the its position on the last.

It is evident, that instead of seci catch to the block B, it may be attac in which case, the groove d would formed in the block B for its recepti lar h ole i for the last-hook, and th lindrical pin k be made in the last, from the spirit of my invention.

By the application of my improve! be secured firmly in place upon its therefrom in a ready and convenieir injury to either the last or block.

Claim.

What I claim as my invention, an by Letters Patent, is

The spring-catch O, and the last-he and operated as herein described, for; B to its last A.

AMOS V Witnesses:

N. W. Streams, W. J. CAMBRIDGE. 

